Improvement in valves or cut-offs for cupola and other furnaces



y w, HpwAaD. Valves or Cut--Ois for Cupola and other Furnace- Wz'messw:

UNITED STATES PATENT (DEEICE.` i

WILLIAM E. WARD, or AUBURN, NEW YORK.

IMPRovtMtNT INvALvts on CUT-otrs FOR cuPoLA AND OTHER FuRNActs. y

Specification forming part of Letters Pafent No. 139,693, dated June 10, 1873 application filed November 7, 12572.

new and useful improvements in Pressure- Gates or (Jut-Offs for Drawing Molten Metal `from Furnaces, &c., of which the following is a specification: y y

This invention has for its object to furnish a gate cut-o` or device for drawing molten metals in a pure state from cupola or melting furnaces, or from a receiving chamber or reservoir located in a position adjacent to the same', for the purpose of collecting the metal prior to its being used for casting.

The principal feature of my invention consists in thecombination, with adischarge-spout or tapping-orifice, located at the base of a cu-` pola-furnace, or a separate receiver, ot' a vertically-slidin g gate or cut-olf. consisting'essentally of a metallic cup-shaped frame, adapted for the reception of a valve or cut-off proper, formed of burned clay, fire-brick, or other material capable of withstanding heat.

The second feature of my invention consists in the combination or relative arrange ment, with said metallic receiving-frame and burned fire-brick cnt-off, of a spiral, coiled, or

other spring, whose function is to exert a continuous pressure upon the cutoff, for holding it in contact with the bed ofthe dischargeorifice, to produce a tight joint for preventing the escape of molten metalcaused by the pressure within the furnace; said spring serving also to adj ust the cutoff horizontally for compensating for the wear of its acting surface or 1 that of its bed.

y in forming a concave channel or spout in the lower side of the composite cut-oil and receiving-frame, which shall serve to permit the escape of a small and regulated flow of metal without the necessity of entirely raising said cut-off.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a vertical lsection `of a cut-olf gate` the same to a cupola-furnace, or separate re ceiver for molten metal, is composed of an inner and an outer plate, A B, the former of which is provided with tubular Apostsor feet A on its inner side, through which pass screwbolts U. This frame is applied `to the furnace-receiver, or other vessel used in the inanpulations ofrnolten metal, by drilling holes in the same, and then passing the bolts C from the inner side through walls of the furnace or receiver E, and then -through the tubular posts A', causing the screw-threaded portion of said bolts to project for enabling the application of nuts a a, which serve` to secure the inner plate A of the frame in position. The plate A is formed `with a central opening, through which projects into the furnace or vessel, and communicating with the same, the inner or elongated tubular portion F o t a composition or tire-clay bed-piece or dischargespout, G. The outer` or enlarged portion G of said spout forms the bed for the cutoff, and .is fitted in elongated openings formed in the inner and outer plates A B, and secured in position by applying said outer plate ,B on the bolts U when fastening-nuts c c are applied tofthe outer projecting ends ofthe same. The composition bed G G', forming the surface against which the cut-oftl acts, isprovided with beveled edges g h, inclining inopposite directions, and fitted in the seats formed in the plates A B, having their edges correspond ingly beveled. The cutoff or gate for drawing the metal from the furnace or receiver is composed of a short cylindrical tubular section or socket H, formed with or carrying on its outer side a cylindrical skeleton-frame, I, for the reception of a coiled spiral or other spring, K. A composition plug or follower, L, forming the cut-off proper isinserted into the metallic socket H, and the saine, being constructed of tire-clay, ordinary burnt clay, or other material capable of withstanding a high degree of heat. Projecting from the sides of the socket H are formed plates M, which move in side overlapping guides formed on the outer plate B, which parts serve to guide the vertical movement of the cut-off gate and to prevent the lateral displacement of the same. The upper side of the cut-off holder is formed with a horizontal post, O, for the reception of a laterally-extending manipulating-lever, R, which has its fulcrum at its end on the pinor post Q projecting from the plate B. rlhe lower side of the receiving-socket H is cut away to a sufficient extent for forming, in connection with a concave-surfaced groove in the composition plug L, a channel, N, for the escape of small or regular quantities of metal from the discharge-spout G.

A gate or cnt-off device constructed as above described is adapted to be applied to the base ofVV a melting furnace for drawing off the molten metal directly from the same, rendering impossible the escape ofthe scoria or slag and other impurities floating on the surface of the metal. In certain cases it is generally found preferable to draw the metal from the furnace into a receiver or collecting-basin, where the pure metal, acting by the laws of gravitation, settles to the bottom ofthe same, while the scoria or slag, being y light, will iioat on the surface of the same.

The cut-off devices being applied to the lower Vor bottom end of said receiving-tank, it will ofcourse be apparent that nothing but the pure meta-l can pass through the same, thus rendering possible the formation of first-class castingsdirect from the furnace.

When it is desirable to produce a very large casting, I provide a large reservoir provided Vwith a series of cut-off devices. The operating-lever has a socket in its end to receive an iron extension piece, which is removable to keep cool for use.

The surface of the burned-fire-clay bed must project beyond the outer face of the holdingplate B; and the acting face of the cut-off plug or valve of tire-clay must also project beyond its holding-cup to allow the acting faces of the bed and plug to be kept in constant contact by the force of the spring, which is effected by the action of the latter in pushing the cupguides M constantly outward, and the plugvalve L inward as it wears. YWhen the latter is worn too thin it can be easily replaced, and when the bed is Worn down even with the outer plate it can also be replaced by another. y

The device is manufactured complete in itself, and applied for use with either the furnace or a separate ladle, by simply making screw-holes in the thing to lreceive the screwshanks ofthe cut-olf device; and in this respect is made a new article of manufacture and commerce in the trade or iron-meltin g business. Y

Having described my invention, I claim l. The combination, with the discharge-oriflce of a melting furnace or separate receiver, of a sliding cut-off gate, consisting of a composition or burned lire-clay valve or plug, L, and a metallic holding and operating frame, H, therefor, as herein set forth.

2. The adjustable lire-clay plug or valve L, and receiving frame H, combined with a spring, K, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The independent or detachable receivingframe A B, adapted for the reception of a coinposilion or burned fire-clay bed-piece or dis charge-tube, F G, and an adjustable fire-clay valve, L, as described.

4. The bedpiece F G G', secured within the openings in the plates A B by means ofthe beveled seats of the latter, constituting a clamping device, as set forth.

5. In a cut-off device for meltingfurnaces, a removable tire-clay plug, valve, or stopper, having a constant pressing adjustment upon its bed at right angles to its opening and clos; ing movement upon the latter.

6. ln such a cutoff device, the combination of a removable tire-brick clay plug or valve, with a removable lire-brick clay bed, to effect the replacement of one or both when required.

7. An attachable cut-off device or gate for furnacesor furnace-ladles, as a new article of manufacture and trade. l l:

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of October, A. D. 1872.

W. H. WARD.

Witnesses:

Geo. V. N. BALDWIN, PETER W. WERLE. 

